NHL Lockout Update: Week 11

Earlier last week, the NHL decided that it would attempt a different approach in order to fix the lockout issues. They decided to turn to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

On Monday, the mediators that would be present were announced, and they scheduled to meet in a private New Jersey location the following Thursday.

After Thursday’s meeting and a follow up on Friday, the two remained far apart. Mediation didn’t work in the lockout eight years ago, and it has failed once again.

“After spending several hours with both sides over two days, the presiding mediators concluded that the parties remained far apart, and that no progress toward a resolution could be made through further mediation at this point in time,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement. “We are disappointed that the mediation process was not successful.”

So now, the NHL, still trying to salvage a season, has turned to another approach toward fixing the issues that remain to be unresolved. Gary Bettman, Commissioner of the NHL, requested a player-owner meeting with no leaders involved.

The union replied back saying they would contemplate the idea. After days of contemplation, they agreed on Sunday to partake in the unique session scheduled for Tuesday.